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Mary Katheren (Thomas) Arrington: Nov. 21, 1944 - Aug. 15, 2012

Mary Katheren (Thomas) Arrington, 67, of College Station, Texas passed from this life peacefully Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012. A private family committal service will be held at a later date.Mary K. was born Nov. 21, 1944, in Raton, New Mexico to Walter Frank Thomas and Billie Frances (Gowdy) Cook. She grew up on a ranch in Clayton, N.M. At 18, she worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone and did so for many years until she retired. She started as an operator at a switchboard where she connected every call, like you see on old black and white programs. She was one of two of the first women in all of West Texas and most of the country to work as a repeater technician. She connected calls for presidents, has known governors, senators and state representatives. Mary K. also enjoyed barrel racing and beekeeping. She raised cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, guinea fowl, a ferret, cats and dogs. She was an artist in many mediums. Oil painting was her favorite. She painted acrylics, wood burning, wood carving, sewing, quilting, embroidery, beading, jewelry, leather work and dabbled in many others. Yellow was her favorite color. She particularly liked sunflowers. But her favorite gift was a single yellow rose. Mary K. enjoyed traveling and did so extensively in the US and abroad.Mary K. is preceded in death by her parents.She leaves to cherish her memories two daughters and their spouses, Billie and Scott Baker of Granbury, Texas and Kathe and Mark Fowler of Katy, Texas; a sister, Lucy Livingston of Enterprise, Ala.; five grandchildren, Braxton, Caleb and Lucas Baker and Ranson and Charlotte Fowler; and one nephew, ENS Tucker Livingston.Please view and sign the guestbook at TrevinoSmithFuneralHome.com.